Global Ties Arizona Hosts 2022 International Women of Courage in April

Global Ties Arizona was thrilled to host two of the Secretary of State’s 2022 International Women of Courage Awardees earlier this month: Doina Gherman of Moldova and Carmen Gheorghe of Romania. Now in its 16th year, this prestigious award recognizes women from around the world who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equity/equality, and the overall empowerment of women.

Doina Gherman from Moldova has been an advocate for promoting women’s inclusion, as well as the protection of survivors of domestic and gender-based violence throughout her career in the Moldovan Parliament since 2019. Doina also serves as the deputy chair for the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), head of the PAS Women’s Organization, and chairs the Parliament’s Foreign Policy and European Integration Commission. She has also previously served in Parliament’s Human Rights Commission.

“The recent reality concerning domestic violence is the most important issue that I consider to [take action] on… one of three women in our country are abused, harassed, and beaten daily in their own homes. This is why it’s so important to have a real infrastructure for all victims – we need more centers for these women [to go to] in Moldova.” Gherman spoke how the need for support to victims in rural areas specifically is fundamental as the situations can be much more complicated. She explained that through the implications of the recent ratification of the Istanbul Convention, Moldova will be able to better protect and serve these women.

Carmen Gheorghe of Romania has served as the president of E-Romnja, an NGO that promotes Roma women’s rights, since 2013. She has also worked in several roles including project manager, expert, and trainer on LGBTQI+ for multiple NGOs across Romania, including “Impreuna” an Agency for Community Development, the Roma Education Fund, the LGBQTI+ rights NGO Accept, the Center for Education and Human Rights, and the Resource Center for Roma Communities.

“I am very honored to receive this award but also very humbled when I am thinking of struggles that other Roma women and activists have had before me. Roma is one of the largest ethnic groups in Europe, it [includes] about 12 million people. Our historical background comes all the way from India and [came to] Europe in the 11th century… In many parts they are named and known as gypsies, gitanos…travelers, nomads. Our history is very colorful but also [consists of] many oppressive moments, such as slavery in southeastern Europe, or as victims and survivors of the Holocaust, and of different political regimes,” shared Gheorghe during a virtual speaking engagement hosted by Global Ties Arizona.

Both women virtually visited Phoenix, Arizona from April 4 th -14 th . During their visit, they met with female leaders of the Arizona community to discuss various issues that women and minority communities face. The awardees met with City of Phoenix Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari; Arizona State Senator Raquel Terán; Jessica Yanow, President & CEO of Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers; Lydia Guzman, Director for Advocacy & Civic Engagement at Chicanos Por La Causa; and Debbie Nez Manuel, Co-founder and the Executive Director of the Morning Star Leaders Initiative.

On April 14 th , Global Ties Arizona hosted a virtual speaking engagement called “Resistance: Why are women’s rights still a struggle?” featuring the awardees, Gheorghe and Gherman, which was moderated by Dr. Sally Kitch, Author and University and Regents Professor of Women’s Studies at Arizona State University.

When asked why women’s rights are indeed still a struggle, Gheorghe responded: “When it comes to women, there are so many layers and intersectional backgrounds. Feminism is [considered] a bad word, racism is a denied word… and then of course, homophobia or other forms of hatred are justified through some [lenses]. As long as we continue to have negative portraits of women, and especially women that [come from] an ethnic background or racialized background, I think we will continue to struggle.” Gheorghe continued by saying that if we look back on the history of the lack of representation of ethnic women, it makes a lot of sense that economic and other struggles amongst women still exist.

Gherman responded to the question by stating an example from the Moldovan political arena that underscore the continued struggles of women, specifically stating the criticism and media attacks that current President Maia Sandu faced during her campaign for not having a family, not having children, and using this to say that she was not prepared or equipped to lead a country. On the other side, Gherman herself had also experienced criticism for having three children and being a politician- with critics voicing to her that “your place is near your children, and not in politics.” She also mentioned women’s fear for personal security as most attacks during political campaigns are targeted on women.

The full speaking engagement can be viewed on the Global Ties Arizona’s YouTube Channel.

The national programming for the International Women of Courage awardees was coordinated by Meridian International Center and local Arizona programming was coordinated by Global Ties Arizona.

A full list of the 2022 International Woman of Courage awardees is available at https://www.state.gov/2022-international-women-of-courage-award/.

Due to ongoing covid-19 restrictions the IWOC ceremony was held virtually and is available for the public to watch at https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-the-16th-annual-international-women-of-courage-iwoc-awards-ceremony/.

Virtual speaking engagement with awardees on April 14th, moderated by Dr. Sally Kitch of ASU.

Awardees meet with Arizona State Senator Raquel Terán and City of Phoenix Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari for a virtual rountable on April 12th.